Most Wanted in check-cashing fraud, 2 men caught in Pawtucket after one allegedly shoots at woman

Wednesday

Apr 2, 2014 at 5:36 PM

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Two men on Rhode Island Most Wanted for their alleged involvement in a nearly $2 million check-cashing scheme were arrested in Pawtucket on Tuesday.

Amanda Milkovits Journal Staff Writer amandamilkovits

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Two men on Rhode Island Most Wanted for their alleged involvement in a nearly $2 million check-cashing scheme were arrested in Pawtucket on Tuesday.

They managed to elude detection for months – until one of them shot at his ex-girlfriend in Providence last week, according to the police.

Jamal Mansaray, 24, and Stefan Gaye, 22, were the last two of three men still wanted in “Operation Check Mate” – a two-year investigation by federal, state and local law enforcement into illegal and fraudulent check cashing that defrauded banks.

Seven people were arrested in January, back when authorities initially thought the scam cost banks about $800,000. Fraudulent checks were made up from fake business accounts and deposited into real bank accounts. The scammers then withdrew the money just before the check cleared – and the banks figured out the checks were bogus.

The scam drew attention from the Secret Service, the U.S. attorney’s office, the attorney general, the state police gaming enforcement unit, Providence police and Warwick police. By February, the state police announced the scheme was closer to $2 million, and said they were looking for Mansaray, Gaye and a third man.

There was no sign of them. Then, Providence police were called about gunfire in Olneyville the night of March 23.

A woman told police that Mansaray, the father of her child, shot at her as he drove by with a new girlfriend, said Providence Detective Capt. Michael E. Correia. Police found five shell casings on Greenwood Street, where she’d been walking.

Providence Detective Michael Otrando learned that Mansaray, who has several aliases, was wanted in the bank fraud scheme, as well as other charges.

After figuring out that Mansaray was staying in Pawtucket, Otrando and Pawtucket detectives Donti Rosciti and Dave Silva tracked him down on Tuesday at 137 Armistice Boulevard.

That’s where they also found Gaye, who calls himself “Swizz Dollaz,” and who the police call a conspirator in the check fraud scheme.

Mansaray was arraigned Wednesday at District Court on 28 charges related to Operation Check Mate, as well as felony domestic assault. Gaye was arraigned on 14 charges. Both men were ordered held on surety bail.

Just one man remains wanted for Operation Check Mate. Aaron Soe, 21, who calls himself “Night,” “Night-tyme,” and “X Night,” remains at large. State police ask anyone with information about his whereabouts to call (401) 305-6104.